The members of the Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department are saddened to share the passing of our brother and friend, Brian Bowman. He was a life member of the department and served faithfully in recent years as our vice president and co-chair of our annual carnival. Most importantly, he cared deeply about his department and his community, and his service reflected such.

Brian, thank you for your dedicated years of devotion to our department, your leadership and your friendship.

Our thoughts are with his wife, Nancy and the entire Bowman family.

Obituary, courtesy of Haight Funeral Home:

Worley Brian Bowman, 76, of Sykesville, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, January 25, 2025.

He was born on February 13, 1948, in Washington County, VA to the late Clyde Ray Bowman and Winnie Helen Ray Bowman.

Brian started his career with Crown Central Petroleum as a gas tanker driver and retired from the Crown Petroleum Corporation as a pump's mechanic. The most important things to Brian were his family, his faith and his community. He joined Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Eldersburg in 1978, and served as president for several years. He always remained faithful to his church.

He was also a life member of Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department, serving in several roles over the years. He served as an ambulance lieutenant, co-chairman of the carnival for many many years and after the fire department was destroyed by fire, he took on the role of Chairman of the Rebuild Committee for the station and social hall as we know it today.

Brian also served as a funeral assistant with Haight Funeral Home & Chapel, Sykesville for several years. Brian enjoyed tinkering in the garage, watching old western movies, and fishing.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 55 years, Nancy J. (Celly) Bowman; daughter and son-in-law Dana and Paul Saunders of Westminster, mother-in-law Emily B. Celly of Sykesville, grandson Lucas Saunders of Los Angeles, CA and sisters-in-law and brother-in-law Patricia and Robert Dougal of Fayetteville, PA and Janet Celly of Pittsboro, NC.

He was predeceased by daughter Gina Lynn Bowman.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at Haight Funeral Home & Chapel, 6416 Sykesville Road, Sykesville. A funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at the funeral home followed by interment in Lake View Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 2205 Old Liberty Road, Sykesville, MD 21784 or to Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department, PO Box 275, Sykesville, MD 21784.

Online condolences may be offered at www.haightfuneralhome.com